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Health & Wellness

The Top-Rated Turmeric Curcumin Supplements of 2023

Peter Gold
Health Editor

Peter is a practitioner of naturopathic medicine, applying his craft in the Pacific Northwest. His passion is preventive care and self-healing. His philosophy is healthy habits help people live their lives to the fullest.

How We Found the Best Turmeric Supplements

Table of Contents

One of the most popular supplements sold today is Turmeric Curcumin who has a history going back hundreds of years. 1 Recently scientists have discovered Turmeric Curcumin’s remarkable ability to improve memory, joint mobility, heart, and immune health. 2

The popularity has led to hundreds of Turmeric supplements flooding the marketplace. While these supplements all promise to deliver health benefits, the reality is that many fall short. Some of the most popular brands have been found to use ineffective levels or low-quality fillers.

With so many options it seems many of us might still be unclear about what to look for in a quality turmeric curcumin supplement. To help cut through the clutter, we have compiled months of research about turmeric and how it can benefit your overall health.

This short guide will help you know what to look for and what to avoid so you can make an informed decision when it comes to your turmeric curcumin supplement needs. We will also list out the top 5 turmeric supplements sold today.

Let’s take a moment to understand precisely how turmeric curcumin supplements work to improve your whole-body health and why it’s essential to add it to your daily routine.

4 Things To AVOID
When Buying A Turmeric Supplement

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists turmeric curcumin as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Some issues have been reported with lower quality Turmeric supplements or those that contain a lot of potentially harmful fillers and additives.

1. Harmful Contaminants

Yellow Food Coloring – In countries where turmeric is very popular, such as India, some manufacturers use the food colorant metanil yellow (acid yellow 36) to enhance the color of Turmeric. If consumed in high amounts, metanil yellow has been shown in animal studies to cause a wide range of diseases. While metanil yellow is banned in the US, it is vital to avoid any turmeric with food coloring. 15

Lead – Turmeric is often grown throughout South Asia and Bangladesh, India is considered a major source for this beneficial spice. However, a recent Stanford-led study indicated that some turmeric originating from Bangladesh was contaminated with a lead-based chemical compound. 16

Additional studies have revealed that turmeric was the cause of high levels of lead in the blood of children in Bangladesh. 17, 18 Lead is a neurotoxin that can damage the heart, brain, and kidneys. 19 Look for a turmeric curcumin supplement that has been third-party tested to ensure it is contaminant free.

2. Not Backed By A Doctor

Creating an effective turmeric curcumin supplement requires a solid understanding of which ingredients to use and in what level of potency. Avoid a brand which is not supported by a credible doctor.

3. Insufficient Return Policy

A reputable turmeric curcumin supplement brand will demonstrate they have faith in their product by offering a 100% money-back guarantee policy. Some try to complicate their refund policies by placing limitations on what kind of returns they will take. Avoid any brand that does not have at minimum a no questions asked 90-day money-back guarantee.

4. Relying on Amazon Reviews

Research showed that in March 2019, there were 1.8 million new unverified reviews, with an average of 99.6% of them being 5-star reviews. 20 Most of these reviews are from people paid to write them. These fake reviews inflate the number and overall star rating of a probiotic. When deciding on a product that can impact your health, don’t rely on Amazon reviews as they can be extremely misleading.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF
TURMERIC CURCUMIN

Most people are familiar with turmeric as a spice that has a bright yellow color and is often used to enhance the flavoring of many foods. The chemical component of turmeric, which delivers the key health benefits, is a polyphenol known as curcumin. Over 120 clinical trials have fueled turmeric’s meteoric rise as well as thousands of research papers focused on turmeric curcumin’s remarkable health benefits.

Joint Health

Due to its extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric curcumin is an ideal dietary supplement for those suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Many studies confirm that turmeric curcumin supplements can reduce lower back, knee, hand, and wrist joint pain as effectively as ibuprofen.4 But unlike over-the-counter medications, curcumin has no known side effects.

Memory and Focus

A recent double-blind controlled study from UCLA showed that turmeric curcumin has substantial memory and focus benefits. Using a group of people between the ages of 51-84, researchers determined that participants who took curcumin consistently each day had significant memory, mood, and focus improvements.3

Heart Health

Because inflammation is an active contributor to heart disease, turmeric curcumin makes a great addition to any heart-healthy diet. Plus, curcumin counters several specific heart disease risk factors. Curcumin improves blood flow by increasing nitric oxide production while reducing artery plaque build-up.5 Turmeric stimulates the breakdown of cholesterol, which reduces blood cholesterol levels in the body. 2

Digestive Health

Curcumin helps with digestion as it can stimulate your gallbladder to produce bile, which helps in breaking down food faster.6 Bile production also prevents bloating and is an effective remedy for other digestive tract disorders.

Top 3 Criteria For A Quality Turmeric Supplement

We spent months researching turmeric supplements and gathering user feedback. There are specific aspects that differentiate high-quality turmeric supplements from generic ones. Below are the three most essential criteria to consider before deciding on which turmeric brand is best for your needs.

2023’s Top Five Turmeric Curcumin Supplements

Our review encompassed 82 different turmeric curcumin supplements, putting each through our rigorous Review Scout assessment process. To determine 2023’s Top 5 Turmeric Curcumin Supplements, we look for predicted effectiveness, supporting studies, safety, pricing, return policy, and overall customer satisfaction.

#1 Stonehenge Health Dynamic Turmeric

A+

Overall Grade

#1 Stonehenge Health Dynamic Turmeric

  • OVERALL RATING 9.6/10
  • Predicted Effectiveness 9.6/10
  • Ingredient Quality 9.7/10
  • Value 9.4/10
  • Return Policy 9.8/10
  • User Rating 9.5/10
Pros
  • 1,650mg of Organic Turmeric Curcumin Complex with standardized 95% curcuminoids
  • 300 mg Organic Ginger Root Extract
  • 15 mg of BioPerine®
  • Endorsed by a Doctor
  • Vegetarian Capsules, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten and Soy Free, No artificial ingredients or fillers
  • Verified 90-day 100% money-back return policy
Cons
  • Often out of stock due to high demand
Why We Chose It

Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Turmeric Curcumin is Review Scout’s top choice. This formula contains a
potent dose of 1,650 mg of Turmeric Curcumin with standardized 95% curcuminoids.

We were impressed that this brand included 300 mg of Organic Ginger to aid in digestive comfort and
15 mg of BioPerine® to improve curcumin absorption.

We were able to verify that Stonehenge Health’s formula does not contain any synthetic fillers
or artificial ingredients and is vegan and non-GMO. It is also one of just a few brands we found
to be endorsed by a Doctor.

Stonehenge Health backs its products with a no-questions-asked, 90-day money-back guarantee. We also like
that they offer customers discounts on bundles. Click on the link below to see their current
specials.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results
may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.

#2 Youtheory Turmeric

A-

Overall Grade

#2 Youtheory Turmeric

  • OVERALL RATING 8.4/10
  • Predicted Effectiveness 9.1/10
  • Ingredient Quality 8.6/10
  • Value 8.5/10
  • Return Policy 7.5/10
  • User Rating 8.4/10
Pros
  • 1,000 mg of Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex with standardized 95% curcuminoids
  • 10 mg of BioPerine®
  • Vegetarian Capsules
  • Dairy, Soy, and Gluten-Free
Cons
  • Lower than an optimal amount of Turmeric
  • Does not contain Ginger
  • Consumer complaints of digestive discomfort
  • Return Policy Limited To Point of Purchase
  • Not endorsed by an MD
Why We Chose It

Youtheory Turmeric Extra Strength is a popular brand that provides 1,000 mg per serving of
turmeric standardized to 95% curcumin using C3 Reduct®. This form of turmeric is said to
enhance the bioavailability, but there are insufficient studies to make a precise determination.
The product does contain 10 mg of BioPerine® to aid in the absorption. When comparing to the
top-ranked brand on our list, Youthery’s amount of turmeric and BioPerine® included falls a bit
short. Also, there is no inclusion of Ginger in this Tumeric formula, which could account for
some of Youthery’s user complaints related to digestive discomfort. Youtheory does not offer
any product guarantee or return policy on their website.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results
may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.

#3 Doctor’s Best Curcumin

B+

Overall Grade

#3 Doctor’s Best Curcumin

  • OVERALL RATING 8.3/10
  • Predicted Effectiveness 8.6/10
  • Ingredient Quality 8.2/10
  • Value 8.7/10
  • Return Policy 7.5/10
  • User Rating 8.7/10
Pros
  • 1,000 mg of Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex standardized 95% curcuminoids
  • 6 mg of BioPerine®
  • Non-GMO, Soy and Gluten-Free
Cons
  • Lower than the optimal amount of Turmeric
  • Does not contain Ginger
  • Not Vegetarian Safe
  • Return Policy Limited To Point of Purchase
Why We Chose It

Doctor’s Best provides 1,000 mg per serving of Turmeric standardized to 95% curcumin using C3
Complex. The product contains a lower than optimal amount of Turmeric. While the formula
does include BioPerine® to aid absorption, it is just 6 mg per serving. Doctor’s Best also chose
not to include Ginger in their formula. Doctor’s Best Turmeric is made with gelatin capsules
making it not appropriate for vegetarians or other health-conscious consumers. The brand does
not have a consumer return policy listed on its website. If you buy a Doctor’s Best product, you
are limited to the retailer’s return policy, typically just 30-days.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results
may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.

#4 Qunol
Extra Strength Turmeric

C

Overall Grade

#4 Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric

  • OVERALL RATING 8.1/10
  • Predicted Effectiveness 7.2/10
  • Ingredient Quality 7.3/10
  • Value 8.9/10
  • Return Policy 8.4/10
  • User Rating 8.9/10
Pros
  • 1,000 mg of Bioenhanced Turmeric Complex
  • Endorsed by a Doctor
  • Dairy, Wheat, and Soy-Free
Cons
  • Gelatin Softgels made from bovine (beef)
  • Does not include Ginger Root Extract
  • Does not contain BioPerine®
  • Limited 30-day return policy
Why We Chose It

Qunol’s Extra Strength Turmeric contains 1000 mg of Turmeric, which the brand claims to be bio-
enhanced with water dispersion technology for superior absorption. While Qunol references a study
conducted showing it to have superior absorption over BioPerine®, more independent studies need to
be undertaken to support this claim further. This formula does not include any Ginger Root Extract to
aid in digestion. Qunol uses gelatin softgels made from bovine (beef), making it not appropriate for
vegetarians or other health-conscious consumers.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results
may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.

#5 Garden of Life
Turmeric Gummy

C-

Overall Grade

#5 Garden of Life Turmeric Gummy

  • OVERALL RATING 7.6/10
  • Predicted Effectiveness 6.2/10
  • Ingredient Quality 9/10
  • Value 6.6/10
  • Return Policy 8.5/10
  • User Rating 7.8/10
Pros
  • 254 mg of Certified Organic Turmeric Blend in Gummy Form
  • 50 mg of Organic Fermented Ginger Root
Cons
  • Contains 7 grams of sugar per serving
  • Limited 30-day Return Policy
Why We Chose It

Garden of Life mykind Organics is capitalizing on the popularity of gummy vitamins with their turmeric
supplement. While these gummies have garnered positive reviews for being tasty, they pack 7 grams of
sugar per serving, which may not be appropriate for those watching their blood sugar levels or other
health-conscious consumers. It is good to see certified organic turmeric in this formula, but the dosage
offered per serving is very low at only 254 mg per serving. Similarly, we were pleased to see they
included ginger, but at only 50 mg per serving, it is considerably less than the top-rated brand on our
list. Garden of Life backs their product with a very limited 30-day refund period.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results
may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.

Citations
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